Research in Motion has begun its fight back in its smartphone battle with
Apple and Google by releasing 2,000 prototypes of the next BlackBerry
device.

The struggling company handed out prototypes of the BlackBerry 10 device to developers at its BlackBerry Jam event in Florida on Tuesday. The release is a critical step in the launch later this year of the BlackBerry 10, which RIM is betting can revive its fortunes.

Alec Saunders, head of developer relations at RIM, said: "Developers building for BlackBerry 10 will be able to easily create the kind of cutting-edge apps that deliver truly engaging experiences."

The appetite of developers to create apps for both Apple's iPhone and devices that use Google's Android software has been a central reason for success that has left RIM trailing in a market they created and once dominated. A survey released earlier this year showed that less than 16pc of developers were "very interested" in creating apps for the BlackBerry compared with between 80pc and 90pc for Apple and Android-based phones.

Thorstein Heins, RIM's new chief executive, has resisted calls to try to sell the once high-flying company in favour of developing a new device that can win back customers.

RIM's share of the global smartphone market has halved to 6.7pc over the past 12 months, according to research firm IDC.

The prototypes, which have a 4.2-inch display, that were handed out on Tuesday did not have the keyboards that have been a distinguishing feature of BlackBerry devices. RIM said that the eventual device will not be exactly the same, but that the prototypes are representative of what they will look like.

The need to persuade developers to create apps is intensified because few of the apps available on existing BlackBerry devices will be able to run on the new ones. The developers in Florida on Tuesday received equipment that is designed to build graphic-rich apps.

RIM has been pilloried by analysts and the industry for failing to adapt to a market that Apple now dominates.

However, there was rare praise for the company oN Tuesday. "Just when everyone was ready to count them out, these guys showed some real spark in their software," said Al Hilma, an analyst at technology research firm IDC. "RIM should absolutely take its time to ensure the device is solid and competitive."

A measure of RIM's success will be whether there are plenty of apps already developed for the BlackBerry 10 when it is launched later this year.

The company has so far refused to say exactly when the device will be released.